Queensland Child Protection Reform Program (2014–24)

The Queensland Government made a series of improvements to the state’s child protection system to help families care for their children. These improvements were recommended by the Queensland Child Protection Commission of Inquiry and were implemented through the Supporting Families Changing Futures Reform Program.

Our first evaluation focussed on how the Queensland Child Protection Commission of Inquiry reforms were implemented across the first three years. Some of our key findings included:

• The reform program introduced considerable changes to the child and family support system, and early evidence suggests that new policies, practices and services are functioning as intended. We need to stay on course and continue working together to embed the changes and allow time for the benefits to be realised.
• The continuing over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people and families in the child protection system is an ongoing concern that requires additional attention.

Our future program-level evaluations will focus on how the outcomes of the reform program are being achieved.